I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.. I KNOW I CAN

I think I can do this diet thing. It's not the first time I've done one. And at one time I was successful at Weight Watchers, which means, HERE I COME AGAIN! Well, WE COME AGAIN. Tara and I have decided to join AGAIN on Thrusday.

Turning 30 was no major deal. But turning 31 and being out of shape has just like floored me. I guess my true "wake up" was last Sunday @ the hospital with Jen & Shelly. I had dropped Jen off at the ER door so she wouldn't have to walk so far, RAN back up the hill and into Graham's room. About out of breath, look at my phone that is going off and it's a text from Jen saying she needed her purse...mind you it's at the bottom of the hill in the truck...so quickly I WALK back out to the truck and attempt to run back up but decided HELL with that. Then Nana pulled up so we briskly walked up the hill. By this time I can barley catch my breath. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

I always get this way after a "MAJOR" EMT call for some reason. Last time was July 2 years ago when i worked a wreck with 5 patients in the shade on a 99 degree day. Needless to say I said never again...and yet here I am 30 pounds heavier than I was then...

Today was a good day... had an orange for breakfast, chicken salad (very little mayo) with a few crackers, an apple and sliced bell pepper for lunch, an orange and a little bit of popcorn for my afternoon snack..and yes I have drank 2 bottles of water and only a half a diet coke.... GO ME!! Now if I can survive my evening time cravings...I'm thinking wheat rice with sauteed bell peppers and onions with some sliced chicken breast.

Everyone here at te office has been warned that in about 3 days I'll look like this chick...and I'll be mean enough to bite your head off...but I'm going to TRY to refrain from taking it out on anyone. Donna has decided to diet as well, so Tommy is now eating his fried chicken, rice and gravy, cornbread and applie pie by himself. She and I both eat before he gets his lunch. Must be lonely being the only skinny one in our office.

So, please say a prayer for me, Donna and Tara. And maybe say one for the families & others that are around us as well. I may bore you guys with the details of what I ate, but it's my way of writing it down so I won't loose it...

OH and cannot forget my best friend Wendy Z...she's lost an amazing 80 pounds last year. GO GIRL!!!

Just another quiet Sunday...NOT!!
It started out as a normal Sunday, church, dinner on the grounds, cleaned the car out, started on the house, then the cell phone rang about 4:20 or 4:30 maybe...That's where quiet left... It was Jennifer (Cowart) saying "I need you now...at my house Graham has broke his leg...Now! Chonda comeon" "ok I'm on my way" is all I could say. I yell for Daddy to get the truck while I'm grabbing my medical bag from the car and he says "the pager hasn't went off what's wrong with you?".."yea I know but it's fixin to. Graham has broke his leg comeon NOW!" I made one call to Jay Ezell who is an ex first responder and a physical therapist assistant. Jay and I have worked many calls together and I feel comfortable with him and rely on his input alot.

For what may of you may not remember since it's been so long ago, was Graham was & still is "one of my babies". He and Ryan for many years were my boys...well as well as Jennifer's also!

When we get there, Shelly has is arms wrapped around Graham and Jay Ezell has begun to cut his the leg of his pants. As soon as we got it high enough, I could tell his femur was broken. Thank GOD it was NOT broken thru the skin, for that is a whole different more complex matter. I like Jennifer did not want to cause him any more pain than necessary..what's the sense in moving him now to cut his pants, moving him then to get his boot off, moving him again to get a splint on and then moving him once again to get him to the backboard and in the ambulance?!?!? I made my right to First EMT on scene decision. NO ONE MOVES ANYTHING TILL AMBULANCE GETS HERE WITH A TRACTION SPLINT. I've worked a traction splint only once before and they are awesome things...mind you it hurts getting it on and the leg straightened out but it is relief almost instantly. After ambulance got there, the boot was cut (and graham wears REAL cowboy boots..the tall kind), and his leg was put into traction and moved to backboard and then into amublance.

After an hour and a half the police went and found the on call ortho Dr that wouldn't answer a page. I'm like Nana, we won't go into detail on that, but I saw the "Herring" come out in Jennifer and Mrs. Barbara. Which in my opinion was acceptable considering the circumstances. This is a picture of the x-ray I took over Shelly's shoulder while he was looking at it...ok so maybe not over his shoulder, but under his arm.. I know it's hard to see the break, but it is there and they were overlapped even with the traction splint still on. At about 9 pm they come to get him for surgery. Jen sent me a text about 11:15 or so to say that he was out of surgery.

For a 12 year old, Graham was an amazing patient. I've had MANY adults be all acting in pain, when I'm really wanting to say "get real you don't know pain!" But I have to restrain and can't do that. Graham on the other hand, was very calm and reacted as I would have expected him to do when we moved him. Him being calm was a blessing for me. This is one of those cases, in your mind, you know what you are suppose to do, but how you handle is it differently.

Sometimes on the scene of an accident, if I offend anyone I'm sorry. I have one task to complete and it is that of saving the life of my patient or making them as comfortable as can be under the circumstances. I can be harsh if you are in my way, I can be an all together b*tch if i need to be, I've seen the pain they are in many of times, I know that what I have to do may at the moment may further the pain, but if I do anything like that it is because I know relief will come shortly or their life is in danger. I rely on my fire dept guys when I need help. I work with an AMAZING group of guys ( I can say that since I'm the only female on the dept) I have been in circumstances where I need my fire dept guys to bring me back to earth, times in which I need them to have my back and keep me from harm, & there have been times when afterward I needed them to just "treat me like one of the guys" and let me destress from the call with them. NONE of them have ever backed away from anything I've asked of them. I am the only certified EMT in my district. I'm very glad to say hopefully by the end of March Justin Lloyd will be certified and can be my backup or I his. Once he has completed all his training I feel he will be a big help to me and the community. I have a feeeling Justin and I will butt heads on a few calls, but you'll never see us do that in public. If you aren't a supporter to your local fire department, please consider becoming one. A lot of fire departments run First Responders and EMT's as ours do, but the funding for them is very scares. No one really realizes the importance of a First Responder/EMT in the rural area until they are needed. Support your local volunteer fire deptartment as much as you can. They work off of donations and grants, without those, they couldn't exist.

I'm glad to say Graham looks like he'll be out of the hospital tomorrow. Will be on crutches for a while and within a few months should be back on his horse with his new boots Nana promised him while the other ones were getting cut off! Mrs. Barbara (Nana) also posted on this incident if you want to check out her blog as well. click on http://nananotes.typepad.com/nana_notes/2009/01/life-is-never-dull-on-cotton-branch.html and it should take you to that post.

Stay safe out there!

Not your typical Monday!
Daddy called as I was leaving home this morning and said 'your mom is driving herself to the ER' . My question was what's wrong and why didn't she call me. Hello I'm right beside the house! But she had major abdominal pain. She said it was worse than ever giving birth! So after about 4 hours at Meadville with no conclusion other than you need to talk to a surgeon with the mention if abdominal blockage she and I went via ambulance to Brookhaven. After about 4 hours there they came to the conclusion that she has a sluggish bowel along with some infection. White counts were 18000. They sent her home with 2 prescriptions. No blockages, no galbladder problems, kinda something that happens once in a blue moon well that is the excessive pain w sluggish bowel. Dr stated many people have it but never know it.

She is on the couch passed out right now. Thanks to Bro. Marvin for coming out to be with us. Jennifer for thinking of me and bringing me my Sonic Diet Coke and checking on us. Thanks to everyone that called and checked on her and us, and thanks for the prayers!

She goes back to Dr tomorrow to have her white blood cell counts checked to see if the infection is decreasing after the 'row seven' shot! Bridget will take her, Daddy and I will both be at work tomorrow.
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Welcome 2009
I have not posted in a long while...Nothing major other than the holidays. I was cursed with the stomach flu the week of Christmas... I worked only 2 days really that week. And can say I shared it with my co worker. She wasn't very happy with me on Christmas Eve.

Christmas has come and gone along with New Years. Our big news for 2009 is Chris and Bridget are expecting #3.

Work is work..busy busy...especially this time of the year. Which we expect. I'm filling in tonight at the sheriff's office. They are short handed and I agreed to help tonight. I now know why I don't work here anymore.. I enjoy working with the deputies, they are always a hoot to work with, but everything else just brings a person down.

Someone asked me what my New Years Resolution was..I thought and thought... and decided not to make any resolutions...they are made just to be broken...so I have decided I will say I'm going to try to get healthier, follow thru on being a better person, and continue to try to grow spiritually. This is something that over the years I've let fall to the waist side, and I'm not proud of it. But we have a forgiving God when we fall short. I know this now and I have been trying really hard to walk the walk and talk the talk so to say. I've got to say, since I've really been trying hard this is been easier this time. I guess before, I just felt bad about something that hmight have happened, and would ask for forgiveness and go on about my business. I guess as they say when you lay all our burdens down to the Lord, he makes them disappear or they become easier to deal with. And for this I am thankful! I'm not a person who can quote Bible verses at the drop of a hat, but that's ok...Maybe my words can simply be enough.. That's me a Simiple person, Simple Christian...Simply growing...

I hope for each of you a blessed and happy 2009... Stay tuned for Great news. I have a good feeling this year!!!

Around the state by Herring Employees!!
Pictures taken by Tom Puckett, Operation Manager for our branches to the East

Pictures taken around Brookhaven by Eddie Stebbins, Operation Manager

Pictures taken w camera phones...and most from the inside of a truck...Come-on guys it's not THAT cold out there!!!

Snow day in Mississippi....these are a few taken around here at the office with my camera phone

I WANT my truck back! Driving in this stuff the last time was easy w the 4 wheel drive...but so easy today in the Kia!!!

This is my favorite. I've got a few taken on my camera, but won't be able to post them until I can find my camera cord.

Think my BOSS should be smiling...We have snow for our Herring Corporate Open House how amazing is that?!?!

Hope everyone is safe out there today! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Happy Holidays everyone!
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Will TRY to post the happenings of the past few weeks one day soon! Tonight I rest!
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Test 2

Test 2
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Test from mobile

Fall is amoung us here in the south!!

Just a few pictures of our beautiful leaves, trees and such. I love the fall...By no means are these the greatest pictures, but I think they get the point acrossI was trying to get the yellowish leaves red and green ones all in one shot...

This picture isn't the greatest in the world, but after the last two weeks I've had seems to have meaning to me. I'll admit, I've not been the "most Christian" person around, but I do know where my heart is and who it belongs to.

I've had many "bends" so to say in my life the last few years. I have only myself to blame for those "bends". I learn from each and every one. Sometimes it may take more than one "bend" for me to learn my lesson, but within time I do. Fall to me this year has a whole new meaning..I like the leaves, am shedding some of my dead & awaiting the new. Not to be a new person, but to be a better person with new growth.. I hope to not fall short of this one goal I'm setting for myself. I know with the Lord's help, I can achive my goal.

I've lost the one person at one time that was closest to me for many years and after much thought I have come to the conclusion that person could be classified as one of my leaves & a "bend". Some drama is always involved between he and I. He's a "bend" in my road already traveled and left behind. From time to time I get the urge to take that road again, but friends in passing is best for me and I think him also. I feel making this decision was the right thing to do and I'm happy with where I am the last week or so. Friendship will always be there, but the closeness has faded with the leaves.

With that note, one final colorful picture among all this fall/changing going on..and it just so happens it's purple! My favorite color!!

Have a great day!!

I helped Saturday night with a Haunted House for Big Spring Church in Brookhaven...attached are a few of the pictures...

Eight Things:
Eight shows I like to watch
1- Grey’s Anatomy
2- ER
3- The Unit
4- CSI
5- Criminal Minds
6- Private Pratice
7- Days of our Lives
8- Army Wives

Favorite Restraunts
1- Back Yard Burgers
2- Santa Fe
3- El Potro's
4- Chili's
5- I don't eat out too much as you can see
6-
7-
8-

Eight Things that Happened to me Yesterday
1- I bought breakfast for me and Tommy
2- I was on time at work for a change.
3- I went to the haunted Shed in brookhaven to help.
4- I had lunch with my co-workers.
5- I washed a load of jeans.
6- I saw Colby and Colten..or well they came and saw me.
7- I got my Napa paperwork done.
8- I called and requested a new computer for my office at Napa.

Eight things I’m looking forward to
1- going to see Coach J tonight
2- Haunted Shed
3- Thanksgiving
4- watching Colten enjoy Christmas
5- the future in general
6- Hunting season
7- getting my house completed
8- buying groceries for my house

Eight Things I Love About Fall
1- cooler weather
2- being able to get fresh air (doors open
3- Holiday cooking
4- branches being busy
5- Hunting season
6- family begins to come in more often
7- snuggling down in my bed on those cool nights
8- bonfires

Eight things on my wish list
1- a complete house
2- someone that not worried about what everyone else will think and can love me as is
3- all my boxes unpacked and items placed away
4- well i know it sounds shallow, but a new car!
5- Not to be sick all winter with a cold or krud
6- To lose some weight
7- Cold weather
8- another round of snow

Eight things I’m grateful for
1- My God
2- My parents
3- My siblings
4- My neice and newphews
5- My extended family
6- Some of the most awesomest friends in the world
7- My ability to help others when needed
8- Our freedom and the men and women that make it possible..

Nana, I know it sounds like I redone some of your answers, but they were GREAT!!!

Tristan's Turn!

He was not in the mood for pictures at all this particular day. I managed to get a few here and there.

I did manage to luck up about a week ago and get this one of him and Wes together as they got ready to go for a ride on "Ole Red" . When they got back, Tristan was sound asleep!

Picture time!!

Ok Since I'm no longer at the sheriff office, this is what I do in what spare time I have...

Colten wasn't big on pictures at Low Water Bridge for some reason, so we had to catch his in the yard playing around.

Colby on the other hand was all smiles

Something about brothers...

I do believe there are some future cowboys right here.

More pictures of the boys tomorrow!!

Some things must come to an end!!

I haven't posted much in the last couple of weeks. Between work and life in general, I've been busy, much like all of you.

There has been a good bit going on since my last post. Work has been busy, busy. Who would figure hurricanes would cause the propane business to get so busy...well, it happens!! I'm learning things about the NAPA store I never wanted to learn, but it's not all that bad, and I can do what I'm asked.

I sold my truck last Friday. As it was a bitter sweet moment. I loved the truck and it was what I had always wanted, I just couldn't justify paying more for gas than the truck note itself. I feel the truck will be well taken care of by the gentleman that bought it.

Cheyenne and Cole came home this weekend. Their Uncle Kevin treated them to a bowling trip, as he had his daughter Kealeigh home for the weekend as well. The kids said they all had a good time and I guess that's all that matters!! Kevin and Daddy from what I understand had just as much fun as the kids did. Uncle Kevin dropped the kids off to Brandy on his way thru to take Kealeigh home.

This coming weekend will be my last weekend at the sheriff office. I made the decision last week that the 21st will be my last day. I am taking a few weekends off to do a few things before we have to start working Saturday's at Herring. I feel I deserve a small mini vacation since I've had none this year.

Daddy and I worked on my cabinets yesterday. FINALLY, my kitchen is beginning to take form and have more that just a fridge in it. Hopefully I can get these stained this week next payday we'll get the rest of the stuff for the up top cabinets. But, this is major for us to have this much done. The siding will go up on the house when I get my LAST paycheck from the sheriff office at the end of the month.

I've been told I have plenty to keep me busy after I quit the sheriff office. Of course there is football season for my Friday nights. Considering I've missed 3 games already! I'll be out just in time to catch all the district games. I've got to get pictures of Tristan done. Then I plan on trying to get some more photos done for a few people. Maybe I can start making a little extra from that as well. We will take Tristan to the Franklinton Fair on Oct 18Th. Bridget and I might go down that Thursday night as well to see Clay Walker!! Then of course hunting season isn't far around the corner!!

I'll keep you posted! Hope everyone has a good week!!

This is what was seen over Bude yesterday while the sirens were going off..

By no means do I take credit for this picture. If I'm not mistaken, it was taken by Delton Butler.

A WOW kind of sight!

No one was hurt that we are aware of...Minor damages in spots...

Dang it!! How could I forget...

As Sam says "FRAP" (change the f to a c)! How could I possibly let both batteries in both camera run down?!?! Wes has been asking and asking for me to take some pictures of Tristan, so I figured since I was going to cook supper for the guys I'd take some pictures while I was there. But no the only camera I had in my car had dead batteries..so of course I missed out on some good "father-son snapshots" Friday and Saturday. Then TODAY we decide to take Tristan out in the boat at Okhissa. Of course I really had no plans on fishing, just trying to keep Tristan from becoming man overboard. With camera in hand we head out...as we get settled I look at him and think with the water that would be an awsome picture and he's actually smiling (without a snotty nose at that), I grab my camera..and this one has dead batteries also!! FRAP!!! Dang it!! Darn!! Oh well guess I can look at it like this, Wes will have to take us back out again...ummm..well I thought he would, but he says NO!!

A 2 year old in a boat for 4 hours is not Daddy's idea of fun, and then there is the small fact that when I did fish, I got hung up twice, broke one line, then ended up hooking myself in the back of the leg and we won't even talk about the sunburn and Wes telling me "put sunscreen on" cuz I didn't listen at all (baby had it on, that's the main thing)...so, Wes said it's either me or Tristan he can't handle both of us! So I have a feeling Tristan and I will be sitting on the bank somewhere next time! :(

Even though I didn't have my camera, I had a great weekend with them both!

one of my favorite pictures...don't know why...just like it

Herring retired Mr. Kenneth Golman Friday, and of course, that was a reason to have a little retirement party with burgers, sausage, cake and homemade ice cream!!!

Click on the picture of his retirement sign. This was made by his family and was too cute.

Mr. Kenneth came over thru a buyout of Natchez Butane about 5 years ago. During which I was getting moved from one position to another and he was about the only thing that kept me from loosing my mind. Then he was blessed with Hannah and I think she feels the same way I do. He keeps us in the right mental frame of mind.

Mr. Kenneth, Mrs. Nina, David, and Jason. Mrs. Nina said she had a good ole "honey do" list ready for him. She mentioned a mop and a broom in the converation also!!

Mr. Kenneth during his little speech.

You will be missed dearly! Happy Retirement and Enjoy yourself!!!

Can you tell she DID NOT want any part of taking a picture?!?!

Oh she was all about getting in the creek afterwards.. She was not helping in any shape form or fashion. That was until we got her in the creek and then it was all smiles!!!

Some things you can't forget..
I can remember exactly what I was doing 11 years ago today at this time. If I'm not mistaken I was sitting in Mandy Long's vehicle crying my eyes out as I told Kevin about a passing of a dear friend.

I think that day has stayed burned in my mind. Brandi LeAnn Runnels passed away 11 years ago. Same type of pretty day..overcast in the evening just as it is today. Up until that point in my life I remember people passing, but no one but my Mamo's death sticks in my memory like Bran's. Simply because Chris, Kim, Bran, and I were so close, I don't know, but I know one thing our lives changed that day. We lost a part of each one of us that day. A part that brought the 3 of us that much closer, I think. Chris and Kim have a relationship that no words can even describe. I remember a few weeks after her passing, Chris getting some Chewy Chips of Hoy cookies and crying all the way home from town when he offered me one. Those were the cookies Bran and I ate when we were laying around watching tv. And to this day I still can't eat them. Weird how the little things can bring you to tears.

Not knowing how things happened that evening made things hard for everyone of us. All we know is the Good Lord had a plan, we hurt from his plan, but we cannot question why any longer. We know that she has been there to greet some of our great friends that have passed. I know when my time comes, that will be one face I'll be looking forward to see..

Bran, know I cry no more, for I know where you are! I love you and miss you with all my heart!! Until we see each other again...

Happy 3rd Birthday Aubbie!!
Aunt Monica made the cake... Then Mommy helped with the presents!! Good time was had by all.
Proud parents!!

Colby and Cole

Cole came and spent a few days with us. They claim they are "drying off", but I really think they are working on their tans!!

I don't think Daddy understands the need of cabinets or shelves to put things on!!! He fusses my stuff is in the way of his construction, but I need something to put my stuff on!

He started kitchen cabinets today and cased out my windows...another thing done.. Fridge, washer, dryer going to go in tomorrow

Busy...distracted...tired...whatever it is called...

Yes it seems to be that's the way I stay these days. Cannot complian, I'm getting a lot accomplished. But lately, I feel as though I'm just watching life pass by and I've been unable to be a part of that. I guess that is what happens when you have a goal. But working towards this goal is getting OLD quick.

Working at the sheriff office has helped get a few bills paid up that happened unexpectedly, but then I decided to build the house. So what was going to be a 2 month extra $ deal has turned into 6 months now. My Fridays consitst of between Herring and Sheriff office a 16 hour day. Then Saturday and Sunday it's an extra 8 hours. So virtually since Feb. I've not had a weekend off!! Can't no one say I haven't been dedicated to my goal. I have no one to blame but myself for this decision. And if I want to REALLY REALLY get done with the house (enough to have company over), pay off a little bill or two and not have to take out a loan I need to work another month possibly two!! GEEZE!!

Now take into consideration this doesn't even count what will happen if gas goes any higher! I parked my truck up at the office with a big for sale sign on it. I can't justify driving it when the gas will cost almost as much in a month as the freakin truck note itself. IS THERE ANY END IN SIGHT?!?

I think I have 4 vacation days left and I think I might find my way to the coast, to a river, to a fishing hole, or somewhere for a day or two! So if I come up MIA you guys will know where I'm at...

Now that I've vented and everyone has listened to me complain I'll close.
Enjoy your evening! :)

Wednesday night!
We are going to try to put my bed up tomorrow night!!!
Whoo HOO!!!
Daddy should get the airconditioner in either tonight or tomorrow night. We still won't have plumbing unless the plumber and Wes show up between now and then, but at least I can be cool and can sleep in my own room!!! Now comes the task of MOVING everything and FINDING everything... I've been missing contacts for 3 weeks now...I know they are in a box somewhere...but I just don't know which box!!!

Hope everyone had a Happy and Safe 4th of July!!

Pictures of the Hand!!

If you don't do well with this kind of stuff, don't scroll down. I've had lots of people asking to see pictures of Chris' hand, so here they are..


right hand the worse one